Method of and apparatus for applying flexible covering to panel surfaces



Nov. 3, 1931; J. LEDWINKA 1,829,752

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FLEXIBLE COVERING T0 PANEL SURFACES Filed Dec. 27, 1929 JNVENTOR. JOSEPH LEDWINKA fife/$76 A TTOR NE Y l atented Nov; 3; 1931-? r VJOSEPH LEDWINKA,*0F HIILADELPHIA,PEnNsYLvANLA, Assmivon TO EDWARD e.

' UDD' MANU ACTURING'GO PANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, rENNsYLvAuIA, 'A cos VIPORATION orPEuNsYLy -ANIA METHOD oamn rm ws L on APPLYING rLExiBLE COVERING To PANEL SURFACES I A vi Application file d necember 27,1929. Serial No. 416,99f). j

My invention relates to a process and apparatusfor smoothly applying a flexible cove'ring to panel surfaces, and more particularly vfor applying a flexible covering to apanel surfacepsuch as ametal panel for automobile bodies, which hasa surface other than a plane surface.

thereto, andnto then press the fabric firmly i in contact withthe surface by a wooden @form contoured 'to matcli the surface of the panel to be treated; This had the defect, that the 1 form and panel were hard to match up [and if matchedup, any slightirregularity in either, or thelodgement of a foreignbody between :them, would resu t in an imperfect fit between the panel and the wooden form, with mthe result that the covering was-not at all points pressed against the surface, or pressed but lightly so that when the adhesive dried it would not adhere to the panel at these points. r

It is a main object of my invention to provide a process and apparatus for applying a flexible cover to such panel surfaces uniformly throughout, so that a superior article of manufacture results,.and to do this expedi- ,tiously and at small cost. 1

I attain this object of my invention by the use of an expansible member adapted to eX- ert substantially uniform pressure on the surface'to be treated throughout its extent and to so confine thesaid member as to cause it to exert such pressure to pressthe flexible cover firmly. against all parts ofthe surface here.

' A Other and further objectsand advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description when read in connection withthe accompanying drawlngs.

In the drawings, I have illustrated more 7 or. less diagrammatically-an apparatus by the r use of which my method may be practiced.

. n It has heretofore been the practice to apply flexible fabric coverings to such surfaces by applying the fabric to the panel inawet V state,.wet fromthe liquid "adhesive applied -F 1 shows a sheet metal panel'of irregular surface contour, such asmay be conveniently covered by the use of my invention.

Fig. 2 shows a form of my apparatus adapted to treat a plurality of articles simultaneously, thearticles being shown in posit1on for treatment, but with the eXpansible members in collapsed condition.

' F 1g. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but show-' ing the expansible members expanded to press 6 the covers uniformly against the panels.

In the form ofthe apparatus shown in the drawings, I provide for the simultaneous treatment of a plurality of articles. T y

" Suchapparatus may consist of a box-like structure, designatedlO, having closed top,

bottom, rear and end walls. The box is di 'vided by a pluralityof horizontal partitions 11 correspondingto the number of articles to be simultaneously treated and in its front wall areprovided slots 12, one foreach compartment as 13"formed by the partitions and the walls ofthe box. The slots are ofa Width sufliclent only for the convenient placing of the panels to be treated within the compart- ,ments and their removal therefrom.

The slots' are infthe present embodiment of the invention located medially of the front walls of the compartments.

In each of the compartments 13 are placed .0

two expansible bags 14, 15 made ofrubber or the like, whichconform roughly to the dimensions of the upper and lower halves of ,the compartments andare confined by the walls thereof. These bags when collapsed as shown in Fig. 2,,are spaced from each other, and-When in this condition, they permit the insertion or removal of the articles through the slots 12. It is understood, of course, that slots like slots 12 could be provided in the rear wall of .the box 10 which would permit the feeding of thearticles in one side and out the other. a 1

. Each of the bags 14;, 15 is connected by a shortpipe 16with a manifold 17 which can be placed in communication with a source of.

compressed fluid, such" as compressed airby the valve, represented at 18. This valve may be provided with a suitable exhaust port,

when turned to shut off the air supply or "placed'between them with a substa ntially'unif fermipress ire threug'hout I The method of my inventioh-i shcem fied out by-the' use ofl'my epparatus inthe fellowing manner. panel Ale taken an' clthe flexihle J ove 2,;as fztbric B previously Wet With-an against the s llr fa eeor surfaces' thereof Which t theremaining'eompertnients ay be' simi itjilsl glesired to coi e'ri lt 'i then pa's sed; throtig'hthes'lot 12 between two deflated bags" 1141 we is 's'hownin 2. Similarly each tupneden through the Qpeiatien ofyv lve 18 and-the bags 14 and 15 a eex ainded unde fa; definite pfessu'rewhieh is; applied nnife'nhl'y t hrenghout and cdnsequentl'y presses all parts v fthe flexible Coven of covers firmly into 'contact Withallparts of thejsurface Whichit, .clesirecl' tec'over, so that the covering will 7 c on'fohn' t'o' everyIirregularity of, said ,sur

face andadhere the1*et0.-, nlethocli fiiirther; cognprehe'ngls, 'meintaining the articles the I epp'anatuslnnclen suehipres'su re," one redncetll.

- 1 pressure, i' f'ldesirec l', until the adhesive mate;

I eeonemial methodef cevering s'neherti elesii; I WhileIQhave herein shown 'and'descmbed I j iii 11 511011 ae' glue,,ha's:drie lsiiflieiently t- O flIisL uFe thatnej part of,the 'eevering 'will break away frdmj the panel; surfaceto jWhi eh it is; l I eppliechefte'rthe pi'essnr e i s relegsed by the I 1 deflation ofthe bagssffij f I By'this*eonlparatively'einiplejniethetl and] apparatus 11am enabled to prodtieejasmqofhy e 7 er artic'le' and one in which the coveringls I I more firlnlyapplied thanhas been-pessihleby V the method'hetetofore need, It i salso a very a sp'eeific" eppamtue forcarlfying out my im proved 3 method, itfwill be understood that v f'jf l I eh an'ges' and niedifieations may bema'cle Withi hereto: :4

neists. in treating the c vering with an "ad- 77 he'sive' agent; 'andlepplylng "it" to the panel W' ith aitli agen 1n" Wet eonditien, then sinmL The r nethed of applyinga;fleXib1e edver- I V V I "lngitb fan irregularly-surfaced panel which jeonsistsiin bringing a fabric treated'with'en edhesivea gentto cover the fece'ef .thepanel the snfl'aeeto be treated, and maintaining it" undenpressute until the adhesive'etgent had here to the surface. j

i 5. An apparatus for; epplyingiafflexible v cover to :g- 'penel's'urfaee emnprising vopposed p ckets adapted to receive the panel-between them and egpansible bags in said pockets,

adapted "Whenfex p anded-to exert a substan- I 4'. An amppetal-Lu s applying", "a flexible cover to a paneleil fmzfe Cemprisin'gi a support for the pahlele 'e beckingreppoed to said support, and 2111' expansib'le. bag sn ppoxftjee *by s aid baekin'gand adapted toi'lae'expztneled',and I fluid meansfor.expandingieaid'begto press; it a gainstfthe surfaceto be treateel 'with 21' substantially uniform pressnrethrefu'gheut. 5. An apparatus for applying flexible? covers to panel. surfaees comprismgfa tier of'shelv'e forming reeesseeitheiebetweenf to' receive't'hearticles to "be treated, 'eaeheffsaid I Shelves beingprovidecl withat leaet one exsignature;

i 11 the skill "ofthe: meehanie, Witheut' depart- I in gi freirnthe spirit and sco'pe'ofthe in Ven-I I e expr -"t e la siep ed I \V'hat' If claim 'is v p'ert'sbf the fabric to'be app ied e0 e559; it intQCO n taCt with the irregnlerjtace f the 'pan'elgthnqughout.V I "I I I e h fe h d of n' y'il g fix I 'efingto an' irregelerly snrfziee(l panel w lies'eiirtnnw1tnee I pan'sible bagsa'id btgs heingeach 'eenneetecl v to 'afiuid pressure su ly,"wherebyithyma be "simultaneously, expendedi to ss th eInj into" contact withithe eljtieleexte b treated:

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